Topman

The dad sneaker has been coming on for a minute now, even before A$AP Rocky championed the Balenciaga Triple S in GQ last fall. Some trace it to Ian Connor’s stubborn preference for Skechers, while others point out that adidas Originals x Raf Simons debuted the Ozweego way back in 2013. Regardless of the origin story, this clunky, chunky supershoe is here to stay for a while—maybe even muscling your sleek Common Projects kicks to the back of the closet.

So how do you wear dad sneakers without actually looking like your dad? Pair them with other dad-inspired pieces that have been tweaked for the 21st century. Think ’90s silhouettes, boxy and oversized, with exaggerated proportions that feel perfectly modern.

In a serene, Woodinville winery, Andrew and Keith tied the knot in a deeply personal ceremony, surrounded by their loved ones.

Andrew, tell us about the location.

I had visited JM Cellars a couple times previously for wine tasting but upon visiting with co-workers about a year and a half from what would be our wedding day, I knew this place was the perfect wedding venue. It reminded me of where I grew up in Lake Tapps, WA. Right away my co-workers said, “You have to get married here!” and before I knew it they had found the events staff for me to talk to.

Keith and I visited together a couple weeks later and secured the location prior to even being formally engaged! The irony is that Keith doesn’t really care for wine, but we were both so taken with the space that he overlooked that small detail. A sense of calm came over us as we walked the grounds and tasting room. It made us feel like we were spending the afternoon at a best friend’s house having a glass of wine—which was the vibe we wanted for our wedding. We wanted our friends and family to just have a fun, relaxing evening, with plenty to see and do.

Every man needs a suit, but not everyone gets the most bang for his buck. Is there a way to increase the value of this purchase?

Yes, sir: wear the pieces separately. Mix up your outfits to give more life to the jacket and pants. You hopefully got them tailored, so they fit you perfectly and deserve to be worn frequently. For more information on that, see our story Asking for a Friend: How to Talk to a Tailor.

Without further delay: here are three ways for you to consider wearing your blazer.

If you’re a winemaker, there’s logic behind wearing a uniform of mostly black. If you’re a winemaker like Seattle’s Andrew Latta—who is more interested in having a hand in every step of the process than running a high-volume production winery—this is especially true. The nuts and bolts of making wine are often messy and unglamorous, and red wine pairs better with dark fabrics.

Perhaps you noticed: it’s prom season. For guys that means suits and, generally, a fair bit of uncertainty. That’s normal. Many teenagers are unfamiliar with suits. What’s a cool suit? There will definitely be photos taken, so you want to come correct. Should you purchase or rent?

Let us make this simple. You should definitely buy. And you should buy from the British brand Topman – which is distributed in the U.S. exclusively through Topman and Nordstrom. Forget tuxedos. Get a hip, affordable, easy-to-wear Topman suit. Done.

There was no Topman in 1981, which is when Nordstrom Senior Designer Tim Haywood went to prom. Things were more complicated then. Feeling the spirit of the season, he took us on a walk down memory lane.

Throwback boogie band Tuxedo never fails to change our mood. It’s just something about their music. If you didn’t catch their recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, increase the amount of positive energy in your life:

Check out our interview with Tuxedo. And if it’s relevant to you, let their outfits serve as a reminder that it’s prom season. Now is the time to shop for that perfect tuxedo, casual suit (Topman would be ideal for 90% of high schoolers) or flawless gown.

If you’re considering the suit/sneakers combo that Jake One is rocking in the image above (that’s Mayer Hawthorne next to him by the way), keep it clean and start by exploring the world of designer sneakers.

One thing we’re noticing at this summer’s festivals and concerts is crazy creative patches all over jackets and denim. Both nostalgic (no doubt you had a few as a teen) and trendy, they look good on several of our favorite articles of clothing, adding a bit of personalization to your staple pieces.

Here are a few things to consider as you decide where to plant a badge and some of our favorite patched styles.

Summer is here and sandals are on our mind and feet—and not sandals worn purely for function, like beach flip-flops or shower shoes for the funky locker-room floor. We’re talking about sandals worn out in the world, for style.

Drop “mandal” from your lexicon immediately (to ensure it dies, don’t even say it in jest). While we can’t endure that term, we sympathize with your sandal anxiety. Not every guy can wear them with style; that’s what makes this a medium-to-high-swagger move. You’ll have to BYO confidence.

We spoke with men’s senior stylist Jodi Taylor on how to wear sandals and discussed the big puzzler: socks or no socks. As usual, she had the answers.

Pastel colors are enjoying a new prominence in men’s style, especially in the sector known as athleisure. Look around this season at dudes mixing athletic and casual clothes and you’ll notice an influx of colors like oatmeal, mauve, mint and rose.

As far as how to style pastel clothing? You can’t really screw it up. Pastel colors in general go well with each other. As long as you stay in the pastel family—or stay “tonal,” wearing various shades of the same color—you’ll be fine.

There are a few finer points to consider. Senior Stylist Jodi Taylor explains those below.